Getting bored..

[mrlex]

Hey guys,
Getting bored of the auto box in the cabby. I love the car but the engine is letting it down!
What would be my best option to make things more exciting..?

- Manual gearbox conversion on the 1.8 8V
- 2.0L 16V with manual box
- VR6 Conversion (I've heard it's a bitch to do and is too front heavy)
Or do I go all out and do a 20VT conversion ( I know it's not cheap)

What do you think?

Cheers

[h100vw]

Manual conversion on the 8V and tweak it at the same time.
Gavin

[mrlex]

Manual conversion on the 8V and tweak it at the same time.
Gavin

I am thinking the same, I think it is the cheapest/easiest of my options. I like the 8V tone too.
So...for a manual conversion. I will need the following:
Manual Gearbox
Manual Steering Rack
Clutch Cable
Pressure Plate
Bolts for Pressure Plate and Flywheel.
Rear Gearbox Mount (As others have said, I'm not sure if the auto one is the same)
Linkages
Shift Rod
Shifter Housing
Whole lot of Redbull.

Has anyone done a conversion before and can they confirm the parts needed?
Cheers

[Golf Loon]

Manual conversion on the 8V and tweak it at the same time.
Gavin

Yup exactly right Gavin.

Manual Conversion is not hard in a Mk1. I`d do that first with a new clutch and rear main.
Then when you are used to that, rip the head off, put on a UK spec big valve head, quick skim for the head and some valve stem seals.

8v GTI is the most fun.
You will gain about 20Hp over the stock Aussie spec 8v.

VR6 is too hard in a Mk1.

20VT will cost you $10k easy and will take a while.

16v is old technology, the engines are getting pretty old and parts are expensive in OZ.

[Jarred]

driveshafts too, as they're diff length between auto/manual

probably your best bet. 16V would be nice (simpler than the other options) but it all depends on money in the end.

with a nice short ratio box you wont know yourself!

[Golf Loon]

I am thinking the same, I think it is the cheapest/easiest of my options. I like the 8V tone too.
So...for a manual conversion. I will need the following:
Manual Gearbox
Manual Steering Rack
5 Speed Linkages
Manual Gearbox GTI mount for a 5 speed
Clutch Cable
Full German Clutch Kit
Bolts for Pressure Plate
Flywheel and bolts.
Rear Gearbox Mount (As others have said, I'm not sure if the auto one is the same) Bracket is different, rubber is the same
Cant remember if the front bracket is the same.
Also you will need a starter motor for a manual kjet car as yours is different and mounts on the back, the kjet starter will also have an extra wire that carby cars dont have.
Linkages
Shift Rod and Housing complete
Whole lot of Redbull. Definately
Also Pedal Assy, get the whole column, but you can usually just hang the extra pedal onto your column.
Also get a reinforcing plate for the clutch cable hole, they all pull through the firewall!
And you will need a gear gaiter surround and gearknob
Plus modify the wiring to defeat the auto lockout

Its actually not that hard.
We drove one in as an Auto and out as a manual in 3 hours, that was with 2 guys and a proper workshop.
Plus the car had a manual rack already and we had all the parts ready to go.

I reckon you should do it, Manual Mk1 GTI Cabrio FTW

[mrlex]

Didn't think about the driveshafts? 16V would be nice...but I think I'll look into the manual conversion on the 8v then eventually get some head work done.
Got any parts for me Matt? I was thinking of sourcing a gearbox and parts from the UK...a donor car would be nice.
What prices am I looking at to do a manual conversion?

[Golf Loon]

I have gearboxes, including some cheapies that will suit a budget Mk1 build.

I have some of the shifter parts, maybe a pedal, New or Uprated clutch kits always in stock, cables obviously. Long driveshaft, but not the short one.

I can feed you parts and advice or we can do it all for you. Call me and we`ll have a chat if you want.

[JoshFair]

16v
individual R1 throttle bodies

ahhh need i say more? hahaha

Or do what my mechanic suggested to me (add sacrasm at level of choice)
"dude what you want is a 2L SR20DET out of a SSS pulsar. It'd be the fastest Golf in tassie..."
HA HA HA.. yeah

[jayjay]

josh, the best ones are gsxr ones.

i'm with golf loon on this.

8v ftw. pants on/off fun, great drivability and economy. cheap and easily repairable/maintainable.